Cooking exhaust systems having one or more airflow features

ABSTRACT

Cooking exhaust systems for use with a cooktop appliance are provided herein. An exhaust system may include a casing, an image monitor, and an air handler. The casing may define an air inlet and an air outlet above the cooktop appliance. The image monitor may be supported on the casing. The air handler may be mounted within the casing in fluid communication between the air inlet and the air outlet to motivate an airflow therethrough. The air outlet may define an airflow curtain path extending outward from the casing in front of the image monitor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to systems for aidingcooking operations, and more particularly to systems for enhancingcooking engagement and managing exhaust airflows with a cooktopappliance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cooktop or range appliances generally include heating elements forheating cooking utensils, such as pots, pans, and griddles. A variety ofconfigurations can be used for the heating elements located on thecooking surface of the cooktop. The number of heating elements orpositions available for heating on the range appliance can include, forexample, four, six, or more depending upon the intended application andpreferences of the buyer. These heating elements can vary in size,location, and capability across the appliance.

Unfortunately, existing systems can provide an unsatisfactory userexperience and can inhibit a user's desired interactions. Recipe booksare often cumbersome and difficult to use while cooking. Pages may rip,stain, burn, or become otherwise damaged during use. Moreover, printedmaterials do not allow for immediate real-time guidance or information.Electronic devices that are connected to the Internet, such as acomputer, tablet, or smartphone, may allow for immediate interactionwith remote information servers or individuals. However, such devicesare generally not suitable for use in tandem with a cooktop appliance. Auser may be forced to repeatedly move away from the cooktop appliance inorder to view the device or provide any input instructions. Moreover,the extreme environment near a cooktop appliance may risk damaging thedevice. For instance, a display of the device may be rendered unusable.In particular, food or steam may obscure the display. In some cases,heat or exhaust fumes may be directed to the display, increasing thepotential for display failure.

As a result, improved systems are needed for facilitating userengagement and interaction during use of a cooktop appliance. Inparticular, it may be advantageous to provide a user engagement systemto permit the viewing or accessing images and information while using acooktop appliance. In some cases, it may be advantageous to furtherprovide a user engagement system configured to protect one or moreelectronic components from the extreme environment near or above acooktop appliance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be obvious from the description, or may belearned through practice of the invention.

In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, an exhaust system isprovided. The exhaust system may include a casing, an image monitor, andan air handler. The casing may define an air inlet and an air outletabove a cooktop appliance. The image monitor may be supported on thecasing above the air outlet. The air handler may be mounted within thecasing in fluid communication between the air inlet and the air outletto motivate an airflow therethrough. The air outlet may define anairflow curtain path extending outward from the casing in front of theimage monitor.

In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, an exhaust systemis provided. The exhaust system may include a casing, an image monitor,and an air handler. The casing may define an air inlet, a first airoutlet, and a second air outlet above a cooktop appliance. The secondair outlet may be above the first air outlet. The image monitor may besupported on the casing above the first air outlet. The image monitormay define an imaging surface The air handler may be mounted within thecasing in fluid communication between the air inlet and the first airoutlet to motivate an airflow therethrough. The first air outlet maydefine an airflow curtain path extending outward from the casing infront of the image monitor. The second air outlet may define a coolantairflow path extending from a position above the imaging surface andtherealong.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures.

FIG. 1 provides a front perspective view of a system according toexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 provides a side schematic view of the exemplary system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 provides a bottom perspective view of a portion of the exemplarysystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of an interactive assembly of asystem according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 provides a top perspective view of the exemplary interactiveassembly of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 provides a cross-sectional schematic view of an interactiveassembly of a system according to exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7 provides a cross-sectional schematic view of an interactiveassembly of a system according to other exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 8 provides a cross-sectional schematic view of a top portion of aninteractive assembly of a system according to exemplary embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 9 provides a cross-sectional schematic view of a top portion of aninteractive assembly of a system according to other exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 provides an internal perspective view of a top portion of aninteractive assembly of a system according to exemplary embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 11 provides an internal perspective view of a bottom portion of aninteractive assembly of a system according to exemplary embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 12 provides a front perspective view of an interactive assembly ofa system according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 provides a front perspective view of an interactive assembly ofa system according to other exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

In order to aid understanding of this disclosure, several terms aredefined below. The defined terms are understood to have meaningscommonly recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the arts relevant tothe present disclosure. The terms “includes” and “including” areintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “Aor B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The terms “first,”“second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish onecomponent from another and are not intended to signify location orimportance of the individual components.

Turning to the figures, FIGS. 1 through 3 provide various views of asystem 100 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.System 100 generally includes an interactive assembly 110 having acontroller 510A in operable communication with an image monitor 112 thatis generally positioned above a cooktop appliance 300.

As shown cooktop appliance 300 defines a vertical direction V, a lateraldirection L, and a transverse direction T, for example, at a cabinet310. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutuallyperpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system. As shown, cooktopappliance 300 extends along the vertical direction V between a topportion 312 and a bottom portion 314; along the lateral direction Lbetween a left side portion and a right side portion; and along thetraverse direction T between a front portion and a rear portion.

Cooktop appliance 300 can include a chassis or cabinet 310 and a cooktopsurface 324 having one or more heating elements 326 for use in, forexample, heating or cooking operations. In one example embodiment,cooktop surface 324 is constructed with ceramic glass. In otherembodiments, however, cooktop surface 324 may include another suitablematerial, such as a metallic material (e.g., steel) or another suitablenon-metallic material. Heating elements 326 may be various sizes and mayemploy any suitable method for heating or cooking an object, such as acooking utensil (not shown), and its contents. In one embodiment, forexample, heating element 326 uses a heat transfer method, such aselectric coils or gas burners, to heat the cooking utensil. In anotherembodiment, however, heating element 326 uses an induction heatingmethod to heat the cooking utensil directly. In turn, heating element326 may include a gas burner element, resistive heat element, radiantheat element, induction element, or another suitable heating element.

In some embodiments, cooktop appliance 300 includes an insulated cabinet310 that defines a cooking chamber 328 selectively covered by a door330. One or more heating elements 332 (e.g., top broiling elements orbottom baking elements) may be enclosed within cabinet 310 to heatcooking chamber 328. Heating elements 332 within cooking chamber 328 maybe provided as any suitable element for cooking the contents of cookingchamber 328, such as an electric resistive heating element, a gasburner, a microwave element, a halogen element, etc. Thus, cooktopappliance 300 may be referred to as an oven range appliance. As will beunderstood by those skilled in the art, cooktop appliance 300 isprovided by way of example only, and the present subject matter may beused in the context of any suitable cooking appliance, such as a doubleoven range appliance or a standalone cooktop (e.g., fitted integrallywith a surface of a kitchen counter). Thus, the example embodimentsillustrated in figures are not intended to limit the present subjectmatter to any particular cooking chamber or heating elementconfiguration, except as otherwise indicated.

As illustrated, a user interface panel 334 may be provided on cooktopappliance 300. Although shown at front portion of cooktop appliance 300,another suitable location or structure (e.g., a backsplash) forsupporting user interface panel 334 may be provided in alternativeembodiments. In some embodiments, user interface panel 334 includesinput components or controls 336, such as one or more of a variety ofelectrical, mechanical, or electro-mechanical input devices. Controls336 may include, for example, rotary dials, knobs, push buttons, andtouch pads. A controller 510C is in communication with user interfacepanel 334 and controls 336 through which a user may select variousoperational features and modes and monitor progress of cooktop appliance300. In additional or alternative embodiments, user interface panel 334includes a display component, such as a digital or analog display incommunication with a controller 510C and configured to provideoperational feedback to a user. In certain embodiments, user interfacepanel 334 represents a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functionalblock.

As shown, controller 510C is communicatively coupled (i.e., in operativecommunication) with user interface panel 334 and its controls 336.Controller 510C may also be communicatively coupled with variousoperational components of cooktop appliance 300 as well, such as heatingelements (e.g., 326, 332), sensors, etc. Input/output (“I/O”) signalsmay be routed between controller 510C and the various operationalcomponents of cooktop appliance 300. Thus, controller 510C canselectively activate and operate these various components. Variouscomponents of cooktop appliance 300 are communicatively coupled withcontroller 510C via one or more communication lines such as, forexample, conductive signal lines, shared communication busses, orwireless communications bands.

In some embodiments, controller 510C includes one or more memory devicesand one or more processors. The processors can be any combination ofgeneral or special purpose processors, CPUs, or the like that canexecute programming instructions or control code associated withoperation of cooktop appliance 300. The memory devices (i.e., memory)may represent random access memory such as DRAM or read only memory suchas ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programminginstructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate componentfrom the processor or may be included onboard within the processor.Alternatively, controller 510C may be constructed without using aprocessor, for example, using a combination of discrete analog ordigital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators,comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform controlfunctionality instead of relying upon software.

In certain embodiments, controller 510C includes a network interfacesuch that controller 510C can connect to and communicate over one ormore networks with one or more network nodes. Controller 510C can alsoinclude one or more transmitting, receiving, or transceiving componentsfor transmitting/receiving communications with other devicescommunicatively coupled with cooktop appliance 300. Additionally oralternatively, one or more transmitting, receiving, or transceivingcomponents can be located off board controller 510C. Generally,controller 510C can be positioned in any suitable location throughoutcooktop appliance 300. For example, controller 510C may be locatedproximate user interface panel 334 toward front portion of cooktopappliance 300.

In some embodiments, cooktop controller 510C is provided as or as partof controller 510A. In alternative embodiments, cooktop controller 510Cis a discrete unit in selective operable communication with controller510A (e.g., through one or more wired or wireless channels).

As shown, one or more casings (e.g., hood casing 116) may be providedabove cooktop appliance 300 along the vertical direction V. For example,a hood casing 116 may be positioned above cooktop appliance 300. Hoodcasing 116 includes a plurality of outer walls and generally extendsalong the vertical direction V between a top end 118 and a bottom end120; along the lateral direction L between a first side end 122 and asecond side end 124; and along the transverse direction T between afront end 126 and a rear end 128. In some embodiments, hood casing 116is spaced apart from cooktop surface 324 along the vertical direction V.An open region 130 may thus be defined along the vertical direction Vbetween cooktop surface 324 and bottom end 120.

In optional embodiments, hood casing 116 is formed as a range hood. Aswill be described in detail below, a ventilation assembly 140 (e.g.,FIGS. 6 and 7) within hood casing 116 may thus direct an airflow fromthe open region 130 and through hood casing 116. However, a range hoodis provided by way of example only. Other configurations may be usedwithin the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. For example, hoodcasing 116 could be part of a microwave or other appliance designed tobe located over cooktop surface 324. Moreover, although a generallyrectangular shape is illustrated, any suitable shape or style may beadapted to form the structure of hood casing 116.

In some embodiments, a lighting assembly 134 is provided above cooktopsurface 324 (e.g., along the vertical direction V). For instance,lighting assembly 134 may be mounted to hood casing 116 (e.g., directlyabove cooktop surface 324). Generally, lighting assembly 134 includesone or more selectable light sources directed toward cooktop surface324. In other words, lighting assembly 134 is oriented to project alight (as indicated at arrows 136) to cooktop appliance 300 through openregion 130 and illuminate at least a portion of cooktop surface 324. Thelight sources may include any suitable light-emitting elements, such asone or more light emitting diode (LED), incandescent bulb, fluorescentbulb, halogen bulb, etc.

During use, lighting assembly 134 may be selectively activated toilluminate a portion of cooktop appliance 300 (e.g., cooktop surface324) based on a received light visibility signal. For instance, lightingassembly 134 may be activated by controller 510A based on direct userinput (e.g., depressing a dedicated switch, a gesture control signal,voice control signal, etc.). In other words, the light visibility signalmay be an isolated user input signal. Alternatively, the lightvisibility signal may be an automatically-generated signal that does notrequire direct user input. The light visibility signal may indicateadditional light is needed above cooktop appliance 300. In turn,controller 510A may automatically activate lighting assembly 134 basedon a determined condition. Optionally, one or more camera assemblies maybe mounted to hood casing 116 and directed toward cooktop appliance 300or an area in front of cooktop appliance 300 (e.g., to operate with orindependently of lighting assembly 134).

In some embodiments, image monitor 112 is provided above cooktop surface324 (e.g., along the vertical direction V). For instance, image monitor112 may be mounted to or supported on hood casing 116 (e.g., directlyabove cooktop surface 324) proximal to the front end 126. Generally,image monitor 112 may be any suitable type of mechanism for visuallypresenting a digital (e.g., interactive) image. For example, imagemonitor 112 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma displaypanel (PDP), a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, etc. Thus, image monitor112 includes an imaging surface 138 (e.g., screen or display panel) atwhich the digital image is presented or displayed as anoptically-viewable picture (e.g., static image or dynamic video) to auser. Optionally, a protective transparent panel (e.g., formed from atransparent glass, plastic, etc.) may be positioned across or overimaging surface 138. In some such embodiments, the protectivetransparent panel is mounted within or supported on hood casing 116forward from imaging surface 138 along the transverse direction T.

The optically-viewable picture at the imaging surface 138 may correspondto any suitable signal or data received or stored by interactiveassembly 110 (e.g., at controller 510A). As an example, image monitor112 may present recipe information in the form of viewable text orimages. As another example, image monitor 112 may present a remotelycaptured image, such as a live (e.g., real-time) dynamic video streamreceived from a separate user or device. As yet another example, imagemonitor 112 may present a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows auser to select or manipulate various operational features of interactiveassembly 110 or cooktop appliance 300. During use of such GUIembodiments, a user may engage, select, or adjust the image presented atimage monitor 112 through any suitable input, such as gesture controlsdetected through a camera assembly, voice controls detected through oneor more microphones, associated touch panels (e.g., capacitance orresistance touch panel) or sensors overlaid across imaging surface 138,etc.

As illustrated, the imaging surface 138 generally faces, or is directedaway from, cooktop surface 324. In particular, the imaging surface 138is directed toward the area forward from the cooktop appliance 300.During use, a user standing in front of cooktop appliance 300 may thussee the optically-viewable picture (e.g., recipe, dynamic video stream,graphical user interface, etc.) displayed at the imaging surface 138.Optionally, the imaging surface 138 may be positioned at a rearwardnon-orthogonal angle relative to the vertical direction V. In otherwords, the imaging surface 138 may be inclined such that an upper edgeof the imaging surface 138 is closer to the rear end 128 of hood casing116 than a lower edge of the imaging surface 138 is. In some suchembodiments, the non-orthogonal angle is between 1° and 15° relative tothe vertical direction V. In certain embodiments, the non-orthogonalangle is between 2° and 7° relative to the vertical direction V.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 through 6, various views are provided ofinteractive assembly 110 according to exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure. As shown, hood casing 116 extends in the verticaldirection V from a top end 118 to a bottom end 120, the transversedirection T between a front end 126 and the rear end 128, and in thelateral direction L from the first side end 122 to a second side end124. One or more air inlets 210 and air outlets 212, 214 may be definedby hood casing 116 (e.g., through one or more external walls of hoodcasing 116). Moreover, one or more air handlers 216 (e.g., fans orblowers) may be provided in fluid communication with hood casing 116 tomotivate an airflow through one or more passages or cavities definedwithin hood casing 116 between the air inlet 210 and the air outlets212, 214. Thus, an air handler 216 may be mounted within hood casing 116downstream from at least one air inlet 210 and upstream from at leastone air outlet 212 or 214.

In some embodiments, an air inlet 210 is defined at a position proximalto the top end 118 (e.g., above image monitor 112 relative to thevertical direction V), while one or more of air outlets 212, 214 aredefined at a position (e.g., discrete positions) proximal to the frontend 126. Additionally or alternatively, the air inlet 210 may be definedthrough the hood casing 116 behind the image monitor 112 relative to thetransverse direction T. As shown, for instance in FIG. 5, air inlet 210may include a plurality of inlet apertures defined through a top wall ofhood casing 116. In optional embodiments, the inlet apertures include afirst aperture set 218 that is spaced apart from a second aperture set220 (e.g., along the lateral direction L). First aperture set 218 may beproximal to first side end 122 and second aperture set 220 may beproximal to second side end 124. Thus, air may be drawn into hood casing116 from both first side end 122 and second side end 124.

One or more air passages are defined in fluid communication between airinlet 210 and air outlets 212, 214. As an example, an air intake passage222 may be defined within hood casing 116 downstream from air inlet 210.For instance, air intake passage 222 may be defined at a locationbetween the front end 126 and the rear end 128. Optionally, intakepassage 222 may provide a common cavity open to both first aperture set218 and second aperture set 220. Additionally or alternatively, airintake passage 222 may extend generally along the vertical direction Vand rearward along the transverse direction T (e.g., behind or rearwardfrom image monitor 112). One or more outlet passages 224, 226 aredefined downstream of intake passage 222. For instance, a lower outletpassage 224 may extend downward along the vertical direction V to afirst air outlet 212 (e.g., proximal to bottom end 120), while an upperoutlet passage 226 extends upward along the vertical direction V to asecond air outlet 214 (e.g., proximal to top end 118).

Turning especially to FIG. 6, in exemplary embodiments a common orshared air handler 216 may be positioned in fluid communication betweenair intake passage 222 and air outlet passages 224, 226. Common airhandler 216 may be provided as any suitable blower or fan (e.g., radialfan, tangential fan, etc.) positioned within hood casing 116 to activelyrotate or motivate air therethrough. In particular, common air handler216 may be positioned upstream from both the first air outlet 212 andthe second air outlet 214. As an example, common air handler 216 may bemounted to or on an internal duct wall 230 separating air intake passage222 from air outlet passages 224, 226. Common air handler 216 may thusmotivate an airflow (e.g., as indicated arrows 228) from air inlet 210to first air outlet 212 and second air outlet 214 simultaneously.

Turning briefly to FIG. 7, further exemplary embodiments areillustrated. Although exemplary embodiments may provide the common airhandler 216 upstream from multiple air outlets 212, 214 (e.g., FIG. 6),other exemplary embodiments include multiple discrete air handlers 216A,216B that correspond to different air outlets 212, 214. For instance, afirst air handler 216A may be provided upstream from the first airoutlet 212, while second air handler 216B is provided upstream from thesecond air outlet 214. Both air handlers 216A, 216B may be provided influid parallel to each other. As shown, in some such embodiments, upperoutlet passage 226 and lower outlet passage 224 are defined, at least inpart, by separate duct walls 230. Additionally or alternatively, upperoutlet passage 226 and lower outlet passage 224 may be spaced apartalong the vertical direction V. First air handler 216A may be mounted onor within lower outlet passage 224, while second air handler 216B may bemounted on or within upper outlet passage 226. As would be understood,first and second air handlers 216A, 216B may each be provided as anysuitable blower or fan (e.g., radial fan, tangential fan, etc.)positioned within hood casing 116 to actively rotated or motivate airtherethrough.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in some embodiments, an internal wall 240 ispositioned between the image monitor 112 and one or both of the intakepassage 222 or the air outlet passages 224, 226 along the transversedirection T (e.g., such that internal wall 240 separates image monitor112 and intake passage 222 or outlet passages 224, 226). Advantageously,the airflow across internal wall 240 may convectively cool theelectronic components within hood casing 116 (e.g., image monitor 112).Moreover, cooling may occur without passing the airflow directly acrosssuch electronic components.

In certain embodiments, one air outlet (e.g., curtain air outlet orfirst air outlet 212) is provided below image monitor 112. Inparticular, first air outlet 212 is defined through hood casing 116 atthe front end 126. First air outlet 212 may be defined directly belowimage monitor 112. Thus, at least a portion of the airflow motivated byairflow motivated by air handler 216 or air handler 216A may be directedfrom air inlet 210 to the ambient environment in front of hood casing116 and image monitor 112 through first air outlet 212.

An airflow curtain path 242 is generally defined by first air outlet212. In particular, airflow curtain path 242 may extend outward (e.g.,in the transverse direction T) from hood casing 116 in front of theimage monitor 112. Thus, air exhausted through first air outlet 212 isprojected from hood casing 116 along airflow curtain path 242, forming acurtain or blade of fast-moving air in front of hood casing 116 (i.e.,forward from hood casing 116 along the transverse direction T). Incertain embodiments, airflow curtain path 242 is defined to have anairflow angle between 0° and 90° with respect to (i.e., relative to) oneor both of the vertical direction V or the imaging surface 138 (e.g., ina direction generally parallel to or away from cooktop appliance300—FIG. 1). Thus, airflow curtain path 242 (and its associated curtainof air) extends from hood casing 116 or imagine monitor 112 along theairflow angle.

During use, heat, steam, or exhaust fumes (e.g., as represented byarrows 246) generated at cooktop appliance 300 (or another locationdirectly beneath first air outlet 212) may be advantageously blocked orrestricted by the mass of air flowing along airflow curtain path 242. Inturn, the visibility at imaging surface 138 may be preserved, whilefurther protecting various electronic components (e.g., imagine monitor112 or controller 510A—FIG. 2) mounted within hood casing 116 fromdamage that may be caused by heat, steam, or exhaust fumes 246.Optionally, image monitor 112 may be positioned such that imagingsurface 138 extends away from airflow curtain path 242 (e.g., along anon-orthogonal angle relative to the vertical direction V, as describedabove).

In some embodiments, the airflow angle is between 10° and 90° relativeto vertical direction V. In other embodiments, the airflow angle isbetween 20° and 50°. In still other embodiments, the airflow angle isbetween 30° and 40° relative to vertical direction V.

Turning briefly to FIG. 11, an internal perspective view is provided offirst air outlet 212. As shown, one or more bottom guide vanes 248 maybe provided within first air outlet 212. In particular, each bottomguide vane 248 may extend along the vertical direction V from a top to abottom of first air outlet 212. In certain embodiments, multiple vanesof a plurality of bottom guide vanes 248 are spaced apart along thelateral direction L (FIG. 4). As air is motivated to first air outlet212, the plurality of bottom guide vanes 248 may further direct the air(e.g., along the airflow curtain path 242—FIGS. 6 and 7) outward andaway from hood casing 116.

Returning to FIGS. 6 and 7, in certain embodiments, another air outlet(e.g., an upper or second air outlet 214) is defined through hood casing116. For instance, second air outlet 214 may be defined through hoodcasing 116 at the top end 118. In particular, second air outlet 214 maybe directed downward at the front end 126 of hood casing 116 forwardfrom imaging surface 138. Along with being positioned forward fromimaging surface 138, second air outlet 214 may be positioned aboveimaging surface 138. As illustrated second air outlet 214 may define acoolant airflow path 250 along imaging surface 138. Coolant airflow path250 may extend from a position above the imaging surface 138 andtherealong. Thus, at least a portion of the airflow motivated by airhandler 216 or air handler 216B may be directed from intake passage 222to the ambient environment as it flows along imaging surface 138.Optionally, coolant airflow path 250 may be defined parallel to imagingsurface 138, or otherwise at a nonparallel angle relative to the airflowangle of the airflow curtain path 242. Advantageously, the coolantairflow path 250 may draw heat from image monitor 112 and furtherprevent gas, fumes, or moisture from accumulating on imaging surface138.

Turning briefly to FIG. 10, an internal perspective view is provided ofsecond air outlet 214. As shown, one or more top guide vanes 252 may beprovided within first air outlet 212. In particular, each top guide vane252 may extend along the vertical direction V from a top to a bottom ofsecond air outlet 214. In certain embodiments, multiple vanes of aplurality of top guide vanes 252 are spaced apart along the lateraldirection L (FIG. 4). A lateral front plate 254 may be positioned infront of top guide vanes 252. As air is motivated to second air outlet214, the top plurality of guide vanes 248 and lateral front plate 254may further direct the air downward and along imaging surface 138 (e.g.,along the coolant airflow path 250—FIGS. 6 and 7).

Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 12, various views are provided of exemplaryembodiments. In particular, exemplary embodiments may define second airoutlet 214 along the bezel panel 256 of the image monitor 112. As shown,bezel panel 256 may frame imaging surface 138 the transverse direction Tand lateral direction L. In other words, bezel panel 256 may extendabout a perimeter of imaging surface 138 at a position forwardtherefrom. At least a portion of bezel panel 256 may hold, for instance,a front panel of imaging surface 138 in place (e.g., such that movementof the front panel in the transverse direction T is restricted). Thelateral front plate 254 is formed at least in part by a front portion ofbezel panel 256. Second air outlet 214 may be defined between the bezelpanel 256 and the imaging surface 138. Coolant airflow path 250 may beformed directly on imaging surface 138. In some such embodiments, secondair outlet 214 extends along the lateral direction L from a first sideedge of imaging surface 138 to a second side edge of imaging surface138.

Turning now to FIGS. 9 and 13, various views are provided of otherexemplary embodiments. In particular, exemplary embodiments may definesecond air outlet 214 in front of a bezel panel 256 of the image monitor112. As shown, bezel panel 256 may frame imaging surface 138 thetransverse direction T and lateral direction L. In other words, bezelpanel 256 may extend about a perimeter of imaging surface 138 at aposition forward therefrom. At least a portion of bezel panel 256 mayhold, for instance, a front panel of imaging surface 138 in place (e.g.,such that movement of the front panel in the transverse direction T isrestricted). The lateral front plate 254 is formed by a discrete memberforward from bezel panel 256. Second air outlet 214 may be definedforward from bezel panel 256. Coolant airflow path 250 may be formeddirectly on bezel panel 256 and imaging surface 138 (e.g., such that airfrom second air outlet 214 first flows over bezel panel 256 beforeflowing across imaging surface 138. In some such embodiments, second airoutlet 214 extends along the lateral direction L from first side end 122of hood casing 116 to second side end 124 of hood casing 116.

Returning to FIGS. 6 and 7, in certain embodiments, an exhaust passage258 is defined within the hood casing 116. As shown exhaust passage 258may extend in fluid isolation from air intake passage 222 and air outletpassages 224, 226. One or more interior exhaust duct walls 260 mayseparate the air passages 222, 224, 226 and exhaust passage 258. Anexhaust inlet 262 and an exhaust outlet 264 are defined in fluidcommunication with exhaust passage 258 (e.g., through one or moreexternal walls of hood casing 116). In some embodiments, exhaust inlet262 is defined through hood casing 116 proximal the bottom end 120(e.g., through a bottom wall or directly above cooktop surface 324—FIG.2). In additional or alternative embodiments, exhaust outlet 264 isdefined through hood casing 116 proximal to the top end 118 (e.g.,through a top wall of hood casing 116). Optionally, exhaust outlet 264may include a plurality of exhaust apertures, as shown in FIG. 3. Insome such embodiments, exhaust outlet 264 may be positioned between thefirst aperture set 218 and the second aperture set 220 along the lateraldirection L. Each of the first aperture set 218 and the second apertureset 220 that may be laterally spaced apart from the exhaust outlet 264(e.g., to restrict the flow of exhaust to the air inlet 210).

An exhaust air handler 266 may be mounted within exhaust passage 258. Aswould be understood, exhaust air handler 266 may be provided as anysuitable blower or fan (e.g., radial fan, tangential fan, etc.)positioned within hood casing 116 to actively rotated or motivate air,steam, or exhaust fumes through exhaust passage 258. During use, theheat, steam, or exhaust fumes 246 may be motivated by exhaust airhandler 266 from open region 130 (FIG. 2) to exhaust passage 258 throughexhaust inlet 262 into exhaust outlet 264 (e.g., as indicated at arrows268). Optionally, one or more filters (not pictured) may be provided atexhaust inlet 262 (e.g., between open region 130 and exhaust passage258) to clean the air, steam, or exhaust fumes (e.g., at 246) as itenters hood casing 116. For instance, a grease filter having a suitablecoarse filter medium, such as a metallic mesh including aluminum orstainless steel, may be mounted across exhaust inlet 262. Additionallyor alternatively, an odor filter having a suitable fine filter medium,such as a mesh or block including activated carbon, may be mountedacross exhaust inlet 262. Optionally, the odor filter may be positionedabove or downstream from the grease filter.

As illustrated, at least a portion of exhaust passage 258 may be tapereddownstream from exhaust air handler 266. For instance, an angled topplate 270 may be positioned proximate to top end 118 within exhaustpassage 258. Angled top plate 270 may extend, for instance downward,from exhaust outlet 264, thereby reducing the cross-sectional area ofexhaust passage 258 and accelerating the flow rate of air or exhaustgases (e.g., at 268) upstream of exhaust outlet 264. As air or exhaustgases flow from exhaust outlet 264, the accelerated flow rate induced byangled top plate 270 may advantageously prevent exhaust gases fromflowing to air inlet 210. This written description uses examples todisclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable anyperson skilled in the art to practice the invention, including makingand using any devices or systems and performing any incorporatedmethods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims,and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art.Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims ifthey include structural elements that do not differ from the literallanguage of the claims, or if they include equivalent structuralelements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages ofthe claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for motivating air adjacent to a cooktopappliance comprising a cooktop surface, the system defining a verticaldirection, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the systemcomprising: a casing defining an air inlet and an air outlet above thecooktop appliance; an image monitor having an imaging surface on whichan image is selectively displayed, the image monitor being supported onthe casing above the air outlet; and an air handler mounted within thecasing in fluid communication between the air inlet and the air outletto motivate an airflow therethrough, wherein the air outlet defines anairflow curtain path for air exiting the casing, the airflow curtainpath extending outward from the casing and forward along the transversedirection in front of the image monitor, and wherein the air inlet isdefined through the casing above the air outlet, the air inlet beingdefined at a location behind the image monitor relative to thetransverse direction.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the air outletis a first air outlet, wherein the casing further defines a second airoutlet above the first air outlet, and wherein the second air outletdefines a coolant airflow path along the imaging surface.
 3. The systemof claim 2, wherein the second air outlet is defined above the imagingsurface.
 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a bezel panelextending about a perimeter of the imaging surface at a position forwardtherefrom, wherein the second air outlet is defined forward from thebezel panel.
 5. The system of claim 3, further comprising a bezel panelextending about a perimeter of the imaging surface at a position forwardtherefrom, wherein the second air outlet is defined between the bezelpanel and the imaging surface.
 6. The system of claim 2, wherein the airhandler is positioned upstream from the first air outlet and the secondair outlet.
 7. The system of claim 2, wherein the air handler is a firstair handler upstream from the first air outlet, and wherein the systemfurther comprises a second air handler upstream from the second airoutlet in fluid parallel to the first air handler.
 8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the casing extends in the vertical direction from a topend of the casing to a bottom end of the casing, and wherein the airinlet is defined through the casing proximal to the top end of thecasing.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the casing extends in thetransverse direction between a front end of the casing and a rear end ofthe casing, and wherein the casing defines an air passage extendingalong the vertical direction from the air inlet between the front end ofthe casing and the rear end of the casing.
 10. The system of claim 1,wherein the casing extends in the vertical direction from a top end ofthe casing to a bottom end of the casing, wherein the air handler ispositioned within an air passage extending between the air inlet and theair outlet, wherein the casing further defines an exhaust passageextending in fluid isolation from the air passage from an exhaust inletproximal to the bottom end and an exhaust outlet proximal to the top endof the casing.
 11. A system for motivating air adjacent to a cooktopappliance comprising a cooktop surface, the system defining a verticaldirection, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the systemcomprising: a casing defining an air inlet, a first air outlet, and asecond air outlet above the cooktop appliance, the second air outletbeing above the first air outlet; an image monitor supported on thecasing above the first air outlet, the image monitor comprising animaging surface on which an image is selectively displayed; and an airhandler mounted within the casing in fluid communication between the airinlet and the first air outlet to motivate an airflow therethrough,wherein the first air outlet defines an airflow curtain path for airexiting the casing, the airflow curtain path extending outward from thecasing and forward along the transverse direction in front of the imagemonitor, wherein the second air outlet defines a coolant airflow pathextending from a position above the imaging surface and therealong,wherein the air inlet is defined through the casing above the airoutlet, the air inlet being defined at a location behind the imagemonitor relative to the transverse direction, and wherein the airhandler is positioned upstream from the first air outlet and the secondair outlet.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the air inlet is definedthrough the casing behind the image monitor relative to the transversedirection.
 13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a bezel panelextending about a perimeter of the imaging surface at a position forwardtherefrom, wherein the second air outlet is defined forward from thebezel panel.
 14. The system of claim 12, further comprising a bezelpanel extending about a perimeter of the imaging surface at a positionforward therefrom, wherein the second air outlet is defined between thebezel panel and the imaging surface.
 15. The system of claim 11, whereinthe casing extends in the vertical direction from a top end of thecasing to a bottom end of the casing, and wherein the air inlet isdefined through the casing proximal to the top end of the casing. 16.The system of claim 11, wherein the casing extends in the transversedirection between a front end of the casing and a rear end of thecasing, and wherein the casing defines an air passage extending alongthe vertical direction from the air inlet between the front end of thecasing and the rear end of the casing.
 17. The system of claim 11,wherein the casing extends in the vertical direction from a top end ofthe casing to a bottom end of the casing, wherein the air handler ispositioned within an air passage extending between the air inlet and theair outlet, wherein the casing further defines an exhaust passageextending in fluid isolation from the air passage from an exhaust inletproximal to the bottom end of the casing and an exhaust outlet proximalto the top end of the casing.